Missionaries ‘thrift’ into Elkin with store

A new thrift shop opened its doors Thursday at 641 N. Bridge St. The thrift shop carries donated items ranging from household goods to clothing. Shop officials said the store expects to soon sell used furniture.

“We’re cheaper compared to Goodwill….We have cheaper prices compared to Habitat. All of our items are inexpensive. We love those stores, but our prices can be a bit more competitive…Things are getting so expensive out there,” said Roni Wyatt of Hope House Missionary Thrift Store.

Wyatt said the store is dedicating 100 percent of the profits for local and international missionary services. Wyatt said 100 percent of the donations are tax deductible. The shop operates through the 501(c)3 charity status of Sloan Lake Community Church of China Grove.

“Nobody takes a living wage out of the funds,” said Wyatt. “Everything is for missionary services and local churches.”

Wyatt of North Wilkesboro said she runs the thrift store with her pastor’s wife, Sheila Tolliver, who lives in Mount Airy.

“We wanted a middle area that we can support one another. The location was perfect. When I’m not here, customers will find Sheila,” said Wyatt.

“My husband (Jim Wyatt) and I are missionaries. The Lord tells you what to do next. My husband is a preacher since 1969 and a world evangelist since 1994,” continued Wyatt. According to Wyatt, the Lord has opened doors for Jim Wyatt in Mexico, Nicaragua, Romania, Philippines, India and Africa.

“The Lord allowed me to go full time into the mission field in 2003. I started doing medical mission in a small clinic in Ghana, West Africa. In the recent years, the Lord has allowed me to branch out in many countries as well doing women’s and youth conferences. I was humbled to be asked to be the main speaker at the First Independent Baptist Women’s National Conference in Ghana, West Africa. What a blessing that was and I have been asked to come back this year in November,” said Wyatt.

Wyatt said there are some recent dangers associated with the missionary work abroad, but she’s following the will of the Lord.

“When you go into countries that have not heard of the Lord, they’re curious and interested. That means change. With that, it is getting more dangerous out there like in India. Many Baptist churches there were destroyed…many people killed over there,” said Wyatt in describing the recent death of a Christian familiar to Wyatt.

“We go yearly to India and Africa,” said Wyatt. “This is the Lord’s work.”

Hope House Missionary Thrift Store is open Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday hours are 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The store is closed on Sunday and Monday.

Anthony Gonzalez may be reached at 336-835-1513 or on Twitter @newsgonz.

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